Chess is child's play at Fullerton competition

Paul Eggington, 15, of Lake Forest concentrates on his moves. He and other players from 60 schools from Orange and Los Angeles counties compete in the 40th Annual Morrison Scholastic Chess Tournament held on Saturday at Ladera Vista Junior High School in Fullerton.KAREN TAPIA, FOR THE REGISTER

Concentration and determination were on display as 121 players turned out to battle on chess boards at Ladera Vista Junior High School in Fullerton in Saturday.

There was camaraderie among the competitors though, as the players 5 to 18 took part in the 40th annual Morrison Scholastic Chess Tournament co-hosted by the Fullerton Host Lions Club, the Hanley Chess Academy in Huntington Beach and American Chess Equipment in Anaheim.

"We want everyone to come out and enjoy themselves and have a good time; that's what it has always been about," said organizer Dewain Barber, 67, of Anaheim.

The tournament is named for the late Bernard Morrison, a Stanton resident who according to Barber, "was nearly blind but still went to schools to teach and promote the game of chess throughout Orange County."

According to the youngest player, 5-year-old Gavin Mc Neill of Newport Beach, "check-mating the king" is his favorite part of playing chess. Although he admitted that he did not do that Saturday.

Paul Eggington, 15, of Lake Forest concentrates on his moves. He and other players from 60 schools from Orange and Los Angeles counties compete in the 40th Annual Morrison Scholastic Chess Tournament held on Saturday at Ladera Vista Junior High School in Fullerton. KAREN TAPIA, FOR THE REGISTER
Shourya Venkata, 6, of Los Angeles was one of the youngest participants to play in the tournament. Chess players from 60 schools from Orange and Los Angeles counties competed in the 40th Annual Morrison Scholastic Chess Tournament held on Saturday at Ladera Vista Junior High School. KAREN TAPIA, FOR THE REGISTER
Hana Hoi, 6, of Los Angeles competes in the 40th Annual Morrison Scholastic Chess Tournament held on Saturday at Ladera Vista Junior High School in Fullerton. KAREN TAPIA, FOR THE REGISTER
Mahlete Feuilladieu, 7, of Los Angeles participates in the 40th Annual Morrison Scholastic Chess Tournament held on Saturday at Ladera Vista Junior High School in Fullerton. KAREN TAPIA, FOR THE REGISTER
Chess players from 60 schools from Orange and Los Angeles counties compete in the 40th Annual Morrison Scholastic Chess Tournament held on Saturday at Ladera Vista Junior High School in Fullerton. KAREN TAPIA, FOR THE REGISTER
Parents eagerly await the announcement of winners at the 40th Annual Morrison Scholastic Chess Tournament held on Saturday at Ladera Vista Junior High School in Fullerton. KAREN TAPIA, FOR THE REGISTER
Receiving his 1st place trophy is Grigor Chebishyan, 8, of Burbank. He competed in the 40th Annual Morrison Scholastic Chess Tournament held on Saturday at Ladera Vista Junior High School in Fullerton. KAREN TAPIA, FOR THE REGISTER
Samyuthka Shirkauth, 6, of Los Angeles anticipates an award for competing in the 40th Annual Morrison Scholastic Chess Tournament held on Saturday at Ladera Vista Junior High School in Fullerton. KAREN TAPIA, FOR THE REGISTER

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